Major League Baseball to honor Sandy Hook victims around Opening Games of the 2013 Regular Season

Major League Baseball will honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting during the opening games of the 2013 Regular Season. All players, managers, coaches, umpires and on-field personnel will wear a symbolic ribbon patch and, with fans, observe a pre-game moment of silence in their opening games (March 31st to April 2nd) in a league-wide effort to remember the 26 individuals who lost their lives on December 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut.

"The unimaginable tragedy that befell Newtown, Connecticut will never be forgotten," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "Major League Baseball, all 30 Clubs and baseball fans from around the country and Canada offer our deepest sympathies and our unbridled support as the community continues to heal from this heartbreaking day."

The patch features the official seal of Newtown, along with a black memorial ribbon and 26 stars, signifying one for every victim, lining each side of the patch. Additionally, for each of the 30 MLB Clubs, MLB.com will auction an authenticated jersey signed by all players and coaches on the respective Club's Opening Day roster, with all proceeds benefitting the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Major League Baseball, MLB Advanced Media and MLB Network encourage fans to contribute to the Sandy Hook Support Fund by texting NEWTOWN to 80888.

About the Sandy Hook School Support Fund

United Way of Western CT (UWWC) partnered with Newtown Savings Bank to establish the Sandy Hook School Support Fund in the hours immediately following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. The fund was established to provide support services to the families and community that has been affected by the tragic events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.